Stewart Island Robin
Ulva Island guided walks
Located within Stewart Island's Paterson Inlet, Ulva Island is one of the finest examples of an ancient and intact ecosystem in New Zealand and an expertly guided walk with Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience is the best way to experience this unique and beautiful habitat.
A programme to eradicate introduced rats and mice from the island has created a safe haven for bird and plant life and a full day guided walk through the forest and along the sandy beaches of the island offers you the chance to experience truly pristine nature.
Small group guided through ancient forest
Your day starts at Golden Bay wharf where you meet your guide and take the 10 minute water taxi trip across Paterson Inlet to Ulva Island.
Once on the island, your expert guide will lead you along the easy walking tracks and share their knowledge of the primeval rainforest, birds, plants and Maori and European cultural history.
You will see ancient podocarp trees, delicate ground ferns, mosses and orchids in season, completely balanced forest vegetation that is rare in the rest of New Zealand.
Kaka Preening
You may hear kaka (native parrot) calling their liquid honey notes, interspersed with the bellbird’s exquisite song and the wonderfully varied calls of the tui. You can watch lime-green parakeets flying amongst the treetops, glimpse rare saddleback and yellowhead and try to spot New Zealand’s smallest bird, the rifleman.
Ulva Island is a special place and as you explore, it is important to remind yourself that there are now few places anywhere in the world where it is so easy to visit and experience a habitat that is virtually untouched by human interference. This will be a memorable day!
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